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Monday, April 30, 2012

Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

I love layers in my cake, how all the different flavors mingle together to form one perfect harmony. Just like this cake. It's got a moist buttery cake, thick cream cheese filling, sweet jam made from fresh strawberries and a nice crumb topping. What could possibly be better than this? It IS the PERFECT coffee cake!

The first time I made this cake, I was careless and in my hurry to finish, I added the wrong amount of butter and my cake turned out dense and rubbery. It tasted as if it was undercooked. My poor colleagues had to eat it all. hehe. I finally got it right the 2nd time around though. This cake was so delicious it was completely worth all that effort.

I've
never seen anything like it in any of the coffee shops around my city
but my Aunt from California said that it was just like the one
she orders at Starbucks. It reminds me of the Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins I made not too long ago because of the same elements they share but it is better than those muffins. WAAAY BETTER! This coffee cake is just so perfect paired with a
nice cup of hot coffee or tea.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8 inch round pan with removable bottom with non-stick baking paper.

Prepare the strawberry jam.

Combine the cornstarch and water to make a slurry in a bowl. Mix the strawberries and sugar in a pan. Cook over low heat until the strawberries release their juices about 5 minutes, then add the cornstarch mix and stir until well combined. Stir for another minute or two until it has thickened. Remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature while you prepare the rest of the cake.

Prepare the cream cheese filling.

Beat the cream cheese on medium speed for about 30 seconds
until smooth. Add in the sugar and egg and beat until well combined. Set aside.

Prepare the cake.

Combine the flour and sugar together in a bowl. Using a pastry cutter or just 2 forks, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Measure 3/4 cup of the mixture and set aside. Add the baking soda, baking powder and salt and mix well.

In another bowl, beat the sour cream, egg and vanilla extract until well blended. Using a hand whisk or a spoon, stir gently into the flour mixture until just incorporated. Batter may be a bit lumpy. Set aside.

Spread the batter in the pan, with about 1/2 inch up the sides, also leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges bare (like making a well). Pour the cream cheese mixture over the batter, being careful not to go beyond the border. Spread the strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup crumbs over the strawberry filling. Bake for 50-55 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes before removing the cake.

Just looking at it is making me hungry right now. I just LOVE this cake!